January 26, 2009

Amazed and Humbled

The past few weeks have been as big a roller coaster as you can imagine. The lows, frankly, have been incredibly low but today I got a high that made me smile all day long.

This morning I sent out an email to 500 people (it would have been more but I didn’t know gmail cuts you off at 500 emails a day) that have commented or emailed me regarding this blog. After thanking people for their support, I did something that doesn’t come easy for me. I asked for help.

As you may or may not know, I’m an Executive Director of a YMCA here in San Diego. We serve a low income community right along the U.S./Mexico border. February is our large fundraising effort and because of my current circumstances, I’m a bit behind in my fundraising efforts. So I decided to start an on-line auction and I asked those in my email to contribute and item big or small that could be auctioned off. The response has been amazing. So far I have had offers from over 50 people to donate items. I am so grateful and honored that so many people would want to help me. I am in total awe of the generosity of people I have never even met. I cannot say thank you enough.

The auction will go live in a couple of weeks (I’m still working out that detail) and will be hosted on my YMCA’s website. I will be certain to let everyone know when the auction goes live but to give you a little sneak preview, here are a few things you can look forward to bidding on…

  • A cruise for two, including airfare, aboard ShipRocked.
  • A blog makeover courtesy of the lovely ladies at Catapult Web Development.
  • A Mets game with one of my favorite Dad Bloggers, Looky Daddy.
  • One pass to the BlogHer 2009 conference.
  • 15 lbs of cookies from blog royalty, Bite My Cookie.
  • Ad Space on two Rockstar Mommy Bloggers, BusyMom and Sarah and the Goon Squad.
  • Autographed books from some great authors.
  • Knitted apparel and Baby clothes
  • Electronic goods
  • Art and photography
  • And so much more.

Once I get a detailed list (It’s hard to email those who donated back since gmail shut me down for 24 hours) I will add a page to my blog that lists everyone and every thing.  Again, I can’t say thank you enough to those who have donated.

If you would like to donate something, please contact me at the email address in my sidebar.  If you’d just like to bid on things, stay tuned.  Details are coming.

10 Comments

  1. I wish I could do more.

    (and how did I get to be a rockstar? I’m not complaining…)

    Comment by Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — January 27, 2009 @ 6:41 am

  2. Matthew and family,
    My thoughts continue to be with you and your family. I wish you strength and guidance as you navigate the unknown path.

    Although, I do not have something to donate, I would be glad to either bid or donate. I agree that the lessons that children learn through sports and recreation are very valuable. My husband coachs rec leagues for our children’s sports. We see many who would not have the access to these options without programs such as the Y.

    Best wishes and prayers,
    Laura

    Comment by Laura Morris — January 27, 2009 @ 10:16 am

  3. I received your email today. Love and many hugs and prayers for you all! So sorry you are going through this tough time. Hang in there (but do take time to collapse and cry now and then). I’ll be thinking of you.

    Comment by Kila at momto3cubs — January 27, 2009 @ 11:17 am

  4. Thank you for including me on the email that you sent out. It is nice to know what is going on. My heart goes out to you and the little ones. Your strength amazes me. I would love to help. I don’t have anything to donate as we have been going through things and giving them away for the past year, but I would love to give money. Please let me know if there is anything that I can help you with.

    Comment by Stephanie — January 27, 2009 @ 2:42 pm

  5. Thanks for including me on the mail. I’m working on some dontation, but wanted to let you know I’m one of the many thinking of you and your family. Will do all we can from NYC to keep you going. Let go and hang on.

    Comment by Douglas — January 27, 2009 @ 3:48 pm

  6. That’s so exciting!!

    Comment by bleachusd — January 27, 2009 @ 11:01 pm

  7. Well, everyone needs help sometime. Looking forward to helping and to the auction. I passed the email on to some people that I thought could help.

    Comment by NoRegrets — January 28, 2009 @ 11:46 am

  8. I hope you got an email from me today!

    Comment by UCM — February 3, 2009 @ 2:21 pm

  9. I have a Cafepress shop. I can design custom apparel or other “stuff” to the winning bidder. Contact me and we can work out the logistics.

    Comment by Laura — February 4, 2009 @ 2:36 pm

  10. Make sure you send out info far and wide when the auction is up so we can all blog about it too. I sent you an email today with my auction item.

    Comment by Mel — February 13, 2009 @ 12:44 pm

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